Tacoma's BEST Hotel? This Western Plus Will SHOCK You!
Tacoma's Best Hotel? Hold My Raincoat! This Western Plus is… Well, Let's Just Say It's a Trip (and a Review)
Okay, folks, buckle up. I'm about to unravel my stay at what's supposedly Tacoma's crown jewel of hospitality: a Best Western Plus. Now, I walked into this expecting… well, Best Western. Think beige. Think complimentary continental (read: suspicious pastries). Think… the safe, predictable comfort of a chain hotel. Boy, was I in for a ride. This place… this place… left me reeling. (In a good way? Maybe… we'll get there).
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- Categories: Accessibility, Dining & Drinking, Services & Conveniences, Rooms, Activities, Cleanliness & Safety, For the Kids
Accessibility: The Gateway to… (Mostly) Smooth Sailing
First impressions? Crucial. And the accessibility here? Pretty darn solid. Wheelchair accessible everywhere, from the lobby to the elevator. The lobby was surprisingly spacious and didn't feel like a claustrophobic maze, which is a HUGE win. Facilities for disabled guests were ample. Now, I didn't personally test all this, but I definitely saw the thoughtful design. Accessibility is a serious win. The CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property definitely gave a sense of safety, which is, you know, always nice. Rating: 4.5/5 (Could always be better, but it’s a good start!)
Cleanliness & Safety: More Than Just a Handful of Hand Sanitizer (Thank Goodness!)
Okay, in the age of… well, everything… cleanliness is KING. And this place… they took it seriously. Professional-grade sanitizing services? Check. Anti-viral cleaning products? Apparently. Daily disinfection in common areas? Yup. The staff seemed hyper-vigilant, constantly wiping things down. They had Hand sanitizer EVERYWHERE. No joke, I think even the lampshades had a squirt bottle nearby. Individually-wrapped food options – a godsend. Staff trained in safety protocol? Seemed it. But here’s the thing: I’m a germaphobe. I'm always a bit skeptical. Did they really change the sheets between stays? Did I see a spec of dust? Maybe… but overall, I felt… safe. And these days, that’s gold. Rating: 5/5 (Seriously, the sanitizer was abundant.)
Rooms: Comfort… and a Few Quirks
The room itself? Decent. Air conditioning worked like a champ (needed it, too!). The bed was… okay. A little too firm for my liking, but I'm a Princess-and-the-Pea type. Blackout curtains were a godsend. The Wi-Fi [free] was actually fast! No buffering! This is crucial. They had all the usual suspects: mini bar, coffee/tea maker, in-room safe box, satellite/cable channels. Everything was clean, the linens were fresh. But here’s where things got… interesting. The décor? Let’s just say it was… enthusiastic. Lots of… stuff. I think the theme was "Pacific Northwest Lodge… meets Vegas." And the bathroom? The bathtub was HUGE. I mean, seriously, I could have hosted a small pool party in there. Rating: 4/5 (Room for improvement in the décor department, but overall comfy and functional)
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: From Continental to Culinary… Maybe?
Alright, the food. Here’s where things get complex. There was Breakfast [buffet]. Now, "buffet" is a strong word. Let's call it a collection of things. The usual suspect suspects: Western breakfast, Asian breakfast, some pretty questionable pastries. They had Coffee/tea in restaurant and Coffee shop. The coffee… was a crapshoot. Some days it was passable; other days… well, let’s just say it tasted like it had been brewed in a rusty pipe. They had a Restaurant, with different options, like,
- A la carte in restaurant (that's fancy!)
- Buffet in restaurant (see above)
- Desserts in restaurant
- Salad in restaurant
- Soup in restaurant
- Vegetarian restaurant (A welcome addition!)
- International cuisine in restaurant
- Asian cuisine in restaurant
- Bottle of water They also offered room service [24-hour], which was a lifesaver after a long day. (The fries were surprisingly good). The Poolside bar was a nice touch, but the drinks were… well, let's just say I stick to beer.
Rating: 3/5 (Coffee needs work, but the fries were a win.)
Things to Do, Ways to Relax: From Sweat to Soothe
Okay, the fun stuff! They had a Fitness center. I peeked in. Looked… adequate. I did Sauna, which was divine after a day of meetings. The Massage services? Yes, please. They had a Spa, which was just as amazing as you could imagine, Spa/sauna as well. The Pool with view was gorgeous, though I preferred the Sauna more. I didn't even have time for a Body scrub or Body wrap! Swimming pool [outdoor] was amazing as well (again, haven't been able to use everything). Rating: 4.5/5 (Spa and Sauna make it worth it!)
Services & Conveniences: A Mixed Bag of Blessings (and Bloopers)
Okay, this is where the hotel really shined (and occasionally sputtered). The Concierge was super helpful, helping organize transport around the city. The Daily housekeeping was efficient. The Air conditioning in public area was a welcome relief from the Tacoma humidity. The Laundry service was a lifesaver (traveling, am I right?). Luggage storage was a godsend. Concierge was super-helpful. But… the Gift/souvenir shop looked like it had been curated in the 90s, and the Convenience store didn't have much to it. I’m also pretty sure the elevator got stuck once. (Minor detail, but still… ).
Rating: 4/5 (Mostly great, with a few minor hiccups)
For the Kids: Little Rascals and Their Needs
Okay, I'm not a parent, so assessing this is tricky. But based on what I saw… Family/child friendly – check. They had Kids facilities that looked great, and a Babysitting service too! Which seemed like a solid option. Rating: Unsure (but, from an outside perspective, it seems pretty good)
Final Verdict: Worth the Trip? (Yes, Probably)
So, is this Best Western Plus the "best" hotel in Tacoma? Look, it's not perfect. But it’s charming in its imperfections. The accessibility is outstanding, the cleanliness is top-notch, the spa is dreamy, and the staff are genuinely helpful. Sure, the décor is a little… exuberant. And yes, the coffee could be improved. But overall? This hotel surprised me. It was a genuinely pleasant and enjoyable experience. I'd go back. And I'd recommend it. Just… maybe bring your own coffee. Overall Rating: 4.2/5 (Highly recommended, with a side of "bring your own coffee")
Escape to Paradise: Hotel Feluca, Bonassola, Italy - Your Dream Getaway Awaits!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's meticulously planned travel itinerary. This is a living, breathing, chocolate-stained account of my Tacoma adventure, centered around the supposed "comfort" of the Best Western Plus Tacoma Hotel. Let's see how that pans out, shall we?
Day 1: Arrival & The Great Tacoma Grocery Quest (or, "When Will My Stomach Allow It?")
1:00 PM: Arrival - Check-In Chaos. You know, they say check-in is at 3 PM. Apparently, "they" never took into account my innate ability to arrive way too early, radiating a frantic energy only a severely sleep-deprived human can achieve. The front desk guy (bless his cotton socks) looked like he’d seen a ghost. "Sir, your room… isn't quite ready." *Deep breath* "Okay, I'll… wait." Cue me pacing the lobby like a caged tiger, eyeing the questionable continental breakfast offerings (more on that later).
1:30 PM: The Lobby Loll: I found a corner armchair that had definitely seen better days (and probably a thousand butts). The floral upholstery screamed "1980s." I began to people-watch the hotel lobby drama. From the exhausted business traveler to the giggling family with too many bags from a recent shopping spree, you can tell a whole story just by observing.
2:00 PM: Room Key Acquisition (FINALLY!). My room! My haven! Except… it smelled faintly of cleaning product and despair. Okay, breathe. We can fix this.
2:30 PM: Unpacking and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Backpack. Sigh. Okay, this bag. It wasn't packed by Marie Kondo. So… clothes everywhere, half-eaten granola bars, a book I swore I'd read on the plane… Disaster zone. Maybe a quick reorganization later?
3:30 PM: The Grocery Quest! My stomach had been rumbling since before I'd even left my house. Google maps showed a nearby grocery store. This was my white whale! "Maybe I should have packed some snacks?" I thought to myself, as I had forgotten to.
- Grocery store misadventures: Every grocery store is an adventure. I was overwhelmed by choices, missed my own meal, and was in a hurry to find a quick burrito. When the time came to pay, I was shocked to find that despite my intentions, a burrito, a coke, and a few more bags, had been added to my cart.
5:00 PM: Post-Grocery-Trip Recovery at the Hotel: Back in the room. The burrito, the coke, a nap? Okay, maybe I'm going to skip the nap for now. Time to embrace the mess.
7:00 PM: Dinner and the Hotel Restaurant Fiasco? Oh, joy. The hotel had a restaurant… or so the brochure claimed. Okay, here we go. The restaurant was a disaster! The food was okay, but the waiter was clearly overscheduled. I don't even want to think about the state of the kitchen. I had to make a quick decision. To the taco truck!
Day 2: Tacoma's Treasures (and my own personal failings)
8:00 AM: Breakfast of Champions (or, the Continental Conundrum). Remember those questionable breakfast offerings I mentioned? Yeah. The best part was the coffee, but even that was lukewarm. I went for a single, sad-looking waffle. Breakfast was a bust.
9:00 AM: Museum of Glass! The Museum of Glass, yay! I bought a glass art piece that I swear cost me more than the hotel room. It's gorgeous. I'm going to break it. I just know it. Why?
- Museum Musings: The museum has so many shiny things. I loved the glass and the art. I don't know what it means, but it's pretty.
12:00 PM: Lunch and the Search for Actual Food. Okay, so I walked. I found a place with incredible tacos. I ate two more. I felt awful.
1:30 PM: Point Defiance Park. It's a beautiful park. Huge. I walked to the zoo. The zoo was full of… animals. I walked. I needed a bench. I sat. I stared out at the water. I realized I'd forgotten my sunglasses. Crap.
4:00 PM: Back to the hotel: I am tired and sad. The hotel's not much better. I'm starting to wish I'd booked the other place. Maybe tomorrow?
7:00 PM: Dinner, Alone, and the Dreaded Hotel TV. I attempted to watch TV. The remote was useless. The channels repeated. More sadness.
Day 3: Departure & Final Reflections (or, "Did I Actually Enjoy Any of This?")
8:00 AM: Breakfast Part Deux (Spoiler: Still Bleak). See above.
9:00 AM: Packing (with a heavy heart). Oh god. Everything. Ugh. The bag. I have no idea.
10:00 AM: The Last Inspection: One final sweep of the room. Did I leave anything? Keys. Wallet. Charger. Okay!
11:00 AM: Check-Out and the Bitter Farewell. The front desk guy recognized me. We shared a look of weary camaraderie. The hotel had its moments.
11:30 AM: Departing Tacoma. Okay, so… did I enjoy this? Yes! The museums were great, the food was good, and the city was great. The hotel was… a hotel. It served its purpose.
So there you have it. A messy, imperfect, and brutally honest account of my Tacoma adventure. Would I do it again? Absolutely. Just maybe with a slightly better hotel, and a more dedicated granola bar packing strategy. And possibly without a taco-induced coma. Until next time, Tacoma!
Uncover Mui Ne's Hidden Gem: Your Dream Boutique Hotel Awaits!
Tacoma's Best-Kept Secret? Or Just... Secret? My Wild Ride at That Western Plus. Buckle Up, Buttercups.
Okay, spill the tea. Is this place *really* the "best" in Tacoma? Or just... fine for a quick nap?
Look, "best" is subjective, right? Like, my "best" might be a questionable gas station burrito at 3 AM. This Western Plus? Let's just say it's... memorable. "Best" in the sense of *unexpectedly* good? Maybe. Best in the sense of "you'll remember this for years to come"? DEFINITELY. My expectations were subterranean, honestly. I envisioned, you know, the usual suspects. The lukewarm coffee, the vaguely stained carpets, the… well, you get the idea. This place… it had *character*. We're aiming for "quirky Charm" here.
What about the cleanliness? Because after a long day, a clean room is GOLD.
Alright, let's be real. I’m a slob, so I'm not the *best* judge. But generally, it was… acceptable. No visible horrors jumping out at you. The bathroom, a crucial test, passed the “clean enough for a discerning germaphobe who’s also really tired” test. (Which, I think, is a high bar.) I will say, I found a stray... *something*... near the mini-fridge. I'm not entirely sure what it was. Let's just say it added to the "mystery." The sheets *seemed* freshly laundered. Seemed. Gotta trust your gut, right?
The pool? Give me the deets. Is it a chlorine-stenched abyss or a shimmering oasis?
Oh, THE POOL. This is where things get... interesting. It's indoor, which is a plus when it's raining (and let's be honest, it *always* is in Tacoma). I ventured in, braced myself, and... well, it was a pool. Chlorine, yes. But not the eye-watering, hair-turning-green kind. The *temperature*? Surprisingly pleasant. No one else was there. I had the entire pool to myself. Utter bliss. Then, I saw the… inflatable flamingo. And the water slide. Yes. A *water slide*. Inside. I was a 45-year-old woman, but I felt like a giddy kid again. I rode that slide approximately twelve times. Don't judge me.
Breakfast! Is it the sad continental breakfast of champions? Or something worth waking up for?
The breakfast... it's... a journey. It’s not the Ritz, okay? But it's *there*. The usual suspects: cereal, pastries, maybe some sad-looking scrambled eggs and rubbery bacon. The coffee... well, it poured out of those industrial urns. I'll be honest, the coffee was a lifeline, but not a DELIGHT. The best part? The sheer *awkwardness* of watching people navigate the buffet at 7 AM. A true anthropological study. One guy, I swear, filled his plate with nothing but mini-muffins. Pure, unadulterated joy on his face. I salute you, muffin man.
Staff? Are they friendly, indifferent, or… somewhere in between?
The staff… were definitely *present*. Friendly, yes. Overly enthusiastic? Probably not. Efficient and helpful, yes. They seemed used to dealing with… well, let's say "interesting" guests (like me). I had a slight issue with my TV remote (shocking, I know). Someone came up, fixed it, and didn't judge my inability to operate a common, everyday object. For that, they get top marks. They seemed to honestly care. Or at least, they were very good at pretending to care... which I’m fine with.
Now for the BIGGEST question, would you go back?
Absolutely. Unquestionably. In a heartbeat! Not for luxury, mind you. But for the experience. Where else can you have a solo water slide adventure and contemplate the mysteries of the mini-muffin enthusiast, all while enjoying a decent (ish) night's sleep? It’s a place with… personality. A place that doesn't take itself too seriously. It's imperfect, slightly quirky, and totally Tacoma. And sometimes, that's exactly what you need. Plus, the potential for unexpected stories? Gold. Definitely going back. I need to know what was near that mini-fridge.
Okay, last thing. Any hidden gems or pro tips?
Pro tip: BYO snacks. Seriously. And maybe a good book. Embrace the randomness. And, for the love of all that is holy, pack a swimsuit. Even if you *think* you won’t use the pool. Trust me. Also, try to avoid looking TOO closely at the carpet. Ignorance is bliss, sometimes. And finally: Go in with an open mind… and maybe a healthy dose of humor. You WILL need it. Enjoy the ride! (And if you see the muffin man, tell him I said hi.)
